Charles Leclerc lit up the streets of Jeddah on Sunday night, securing his first podium finish of the 2025 Formula 1 season and offering a resounding statement of intent for Scuderia Ferrari’s campaign.
In Summary
In a race filled with precision, grit, and strategic brilliance, Leclerc delivered a stellar third-place finish at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. Starting from fourth on the grid, the Monegasque driver held his position off the line and executed a long first stint on medium tyres before making a crucial pit stop. Ferrari’s rapid two-second service allowed him to rejoin on hard tyres and stay in the hunt.
The race-defining moment came on lap 38, when Leclerc executed a clinical overtake on Mercedes’ George Russell at turn one—demonstrating both confidence and racecraft. From there, he withstood intense pressure from Lando Norris to seal his 44th career podium and strengthen Ferrari’s early-season momentum.
“It was a perfect execution all around—strategy, pit stops, everything,” Leclerc said after the race. “We’ve worked hard for this result and it’s great to see the team’s efforts pay off.”
Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur was equally buoyant: “Charles was smart and patient. When he had clear air, he was flying. This result shows we’re heading in the right direction.”
With Ferrari now having outscored every team two races in a row, hopes are rising for a real title challenge. All eyes turn to Miami in early May, where Leclerc and Ferrari will look to keep their upward trajectory going strong.
